JMU starts strong in blowout of ODU, continues one-sided series

James Madison continued its reign over the Sun Belt Conference on Saturday, dominating a 46-20 victory over Monarchs at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Quarterback Camden Coleman led the Bison with 243 passing yards and four touchdowns. Defending league champions ODU, currently 1-3, suffered their fifth consecutive loss in the rivalry. Monarchs backup quarterback Ryan Huff, a redshirt freshman, took over for injured starter Quinn Henicle and completed 20 of 39 passes for 261 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

JMU set an FBS program record with nine sacks, thwarting Huff throughout the game. The Monarchs' offensive woes were compounded by 13 penalties for 96 yards and failing third-down conversions (4 for 16). In the third quarter, Huff threw an interception that was ruled nullified by a roughing penalty, but ODU only managed a Nathanial Eichner 35-yard field goal to close the gap to 36-20.

Despite a early momentum shift when JMU forced a punt on a three-and-out, ODU was penalized for having two players on the field wearing the same number during the punt, granting JMU a first down they capitalized on for a field goal. JMU scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions, quickly establishing dominance. However, they went scoreless on their next five drives, struggling to regain control. The Bison only found the end zone again with 2:55 minutes left in the fourth quarter.